Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 14

This is last Sunday's update (late, obviously) in the interest of keeping a once-a-week schedule. The next volume will be up (hopefully - I have a busy weekend ahead) on Sunday.

What Happens

Demon Infant

The Skull Knight explains that the cave he brought Guts and Casca to will hide them from demons. Elves used to live in these mountains, so the earth’s energy remains strong and thus shields their presence (is there a fantasy equivalent of technobabble?). He also says the fortuitous circumstances of the last few days are all a matter of chance.

Casca is surrounded by spirits, but they’re not attacking her. She suddenly collapses in pain, and something small and fetus-like drops out from between her legs. The Skull Knight says it’s her child, corrupted when she was raped by Griffith, and it would be best to kill it now; it will only cause trouble. But Casca desperately tries to defend it, Guts hesitates since it’s obvious who the father is, and the child vanishes with the daylight. The Skull Knight realizes what’s going on and tells Guts he’ll see it again – children yearn for their parents, after all.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 13

The longest one yet, but hey, the Eclipse is a pivotal part of the story and deserves the extra analysis.

What Happens

Storm of Death, Chapters 1-2

As Rickert watches from hiding, Zodd and the Skull Knight continue to fight. Zodd is ostensibly supposed to be guarding the way into the whirlwind but claims he’s only interested in continuing his feud with the latter, who does not deny that he came because of his millennium-long rivalry with the Godhand.

Inside the whirlwind, Corkus flees in terror, convincing himself everything has been a dream before allowing himself to be killed by a demon disguised as a naked woman. Casca is rescued by Pippin and Judeau, the former buying them time while the latter carries her off on horseback. Despite his best efforts to protect her, Judeau is killed. As he dies he reflects to himself that he never got his chance to tell Casca “that important thing.” Demons swarm over Casca, tearing off her clothes and armor.

Reread of the Hawk: Berserk, Volume 12

What Happens

Requiem of the Wind

At the Midland border, Casca finally explains the truth of Griffith’s condition and it starts to truly sink in – the Band of the Hawk is finished. Someone mentions that Casca could still take command, but Judeau says that’s asking too much of her after everything she’s done already. However, she says she’ll think about it until they meet up with Rickert’s group.

Guts wants to tell everyone not to give up, but Casca stops him, telling him afterwards that such words hold no weight with Griffith the way he is. From inside his wagon, Griffith sees them as Casca rests her head on Guts’s chest.